Most Disappointing Books of 2017

Unfortunately, we, readers, not always enjoy the books we decide to pick up. Irrespective of how much research we do on a book, our expectations may end up not being met. In 2016, the year I started blogging, I read two books that disappointed me, although I didn’t completely dislike them. They were just tolerable reads I was expecting to like much more than I actually did. This year, however, I can surely say I didn’t like three of the books that I read.

 

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

The main character in this novel, Jim Hawkins, unknowingly joins a group of pirates in search of Captain Flint’s hidden treasure. I was hoping for a thrilling adventure, but instead I got a joyless bland story, which I, nevertheless, managed to read until the end.

 

Homens Imprudentemente Poéticos by Valter Hugo Mãe

After liking A Desumanização by the Portuguese author Valter Hugo Mãe, I was expecting to also enjoy this novel about two Japanese neighbours, Itaro and Saburo, who are in open conflict. But my expectations were completely misplaced. The plot didn’t appeal to me at all and the writing style completely overpowered the story. Its pretentiousness even irked me in some instances.

 

Os Memoráveis by Lídia Jorge

I was hoping to learn a little bit more about the Portuguese revolution of 25 April 1974 while reading an enlightening story written by Lídia Jorge. Although, at first, I was enjoying this book, I quickly got quite bored of the accounts of all the whining characters struggling to adapt to present-day life.

 

Which were your most disappointing reads in 2017? Or were you fortunate enough to enjoy all of the books you’ve read? Tell me in the comments!